2018 Divisional Discussion Thread

January 13, 2018, 5:21 am ET

389

Here's the open thread for discussing all of this weekend's divisional-round action. On Saturday, we've got Atlanta at Philadelphia followed by Tennessee at New England. On Sunday, we start with Jacksonville at Pittsburgh, then New Orleans at Minnesota.

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389 comments, Last at 16 Jan 2018, 11:07am

#275 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:18pm

If Minnesota wins and a meteorite strikes Foxboro, we could have the shittiest pair of QBs in Super Bowl history!

#285 by Bright Blue Shorts // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:51pm

Who are the current holders of that title?

I guess it's Dilfer-Collins from XXV followed by Flacco-Kaepernick followed by Plunkett-Jaworski.

After that, I there's pretty much a HoF QB on at least one of the offenses.

#293 by Mountain Time … // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:11pm

Kaepernick was in the top 3 QBs for DVOA that year, and Flacco was 17th. One elite QB, one just slightly below average. No one's calling them HoFers, but it was hardly a weak matchup. Kaep had the best DVOA of anyone not named Brady or Manning

#302 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:43pm

Got to be Dilfer-Collins, right?

Maybe one of those Miami-Washington rock fights had a stinker

#276 by Athelas // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:20pm

This was a funny way of describing Tomlin, et al:

(From Twitter)
Scott Lemieux‏ @LemieuxLGM

Tomlin is a top 5 NFL coach for sure, but...that game looked like the Steelers coaching staff went to a breakfast with bottomless Bloody Marys at 6AM and were determined to get their money's worth.

1:44 PM - 14 Jan 2018

#278 by Cheesehead_Canuck // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:23pm

Top 5...is he though?

#288 by Bright Blue Shorts // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:55pm

In terms of sustained success over the past decade or so ... you've got Belichick

Followed by in no particular order Carroll, Reid, McCarthy, Tomlin, John Harbaugh.

#280 by vrao81 // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:35pm

Saints getting screwed by penalties.

#281 by HPaddict // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:35pm

Does anyone want Floyd's non-catch to be a TD?

#282 by Mountain Time … // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:37pm

It's not enough for Aikman to be a monotone bozo, now Buck is oh so cleverly quoting the bud shit ads. I'm not really sure I want to watch football anymore

#284 by Cheesehead_Canuck // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:47pm

Shit, the Vikings sureare good.

#286 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:52pm

Would've liked the Vikings to actually go for it there.

#287 by justanothersteve // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:53pm

So glad to see the Vikings not stupidly calling a time out on that fourth down. Losing five yards at midfield before a punt is no big deal.

#289 by milo // Jan 14, 2018 - 5:56pm

Ducking unbelievable

#294 by deus01 // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:22pm

The commentary about Bortles being phenomenal is killing me. He completed 50% for 200 something yards. I get that the bar is low but come on.

#297 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:27pm

Yeah, he was great on the first drive and in the fourth quarter, but everyone is forgetting what happened in between. Also I think most NFL commenters can't comprehend the idea of a team scoring 45 without their QB playing incredibly, so Bortles just automatically gets tons of credit for that big point total.

#299 by deus01 // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:39pm

I don't think it's even the point total. Just winning a game is enough I think.

#305 by Hextall_27 // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:48pm

The big thing he did is that he DID NOT give Pittsburgh an 18 yard TD drive with a pick.
That was the difference. He had a few nice runs and he made a few really big throws early and late.

Peyton Manning was not great in his last Super Bowl but he made less mistakes than The LVP of Super Bowl L.

#304 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:46pm

NO has started moving the ball.

#306 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:50pm

Almost the entire quarter gone on just two drives.

#308 by Hextall_27 // Jan 14, 2018 - 6:55pm

Pre-2017 Keenum has entered the building.

#309 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:08pm

Wow, Vikings fans have to be having PTSD about their previous playoff heartbreaks.

#310 by Hextall_27 // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:22pm

Vikings, Chiefs, and Eagles fans know playoff failure well.

Bills fans may be coming out of Brady-induced cryo-sleep to remember the feeling as well.

#313 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:35pm

As a Lions fan, I would be lucky to someday experience those types of “failures”

#312 by Hextall_27 // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:28pm

As bad as Keenum's desperation throw was for a QB... that coaching decision by Payton was worse. 3rd and 1 is not the time for High School Harry.

#315 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:44pm

To be fair, it came within a foot of paying off big.

#314 by vrao81 // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:41pm

Saints score to take the lead. Now which Keenum are we going to see?

#316 by vrao81 // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:48pm

Thielen with a big catch

#317 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:48pm

If they don't pick up this third down, the Vikings will be leaving a lot of time on the clock (assuming they make the kick).

#318 by TomC // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:49pm

That's a mildly clutch kick.

#319 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:49pm

89 seconds and a TO is a looonnnngggggggg time

#320 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:50pm

Too much time left, even with one timeout I think the Saints chances are good.

#321 by vrao81 // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:50pm

Forbath gives them the lead! Now can the defense hold.

#322 by justanothersteve // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:50pm

This is way too much time for Brees

#323 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:52pm

This game has certainly turned into a very good one. By far the best of the weekend.

#329 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:58pm

4th-goal from the 2 with 1:00 left wasn't a good game?

#333 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:04pm

OK, "by far" was too strong. I was thinking of the AFC games. Pats game wasn't close and I have no idea what happened in Pittsburgh, but that wasn't good football. The Eagles/Falcons game was close but for some reason it didn't inspire me. To be at the same level as this one, they needed the Falcons to score a TD with a minute left, and then the Eagles would have had a minute to get the lead back...

The ending today was written better. :)

#334 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:07pm

And then that happened.

Blows Falcons/Eagles out of the water.

#339 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:09pm

Goddamn.

Even the Lions wouldn't have blown it like that.

#347 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:14pm

Please don’t tempt fate.

#354 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:20pm

The Lions would have gotten the DPI, roughed the passer, and lost on a FG.

#359 by morganja // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:28pm

What do you think the Chargers could have done there?

#363 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:45pm

Intercept it and them fumble it back, of course. The flagship play of Chargers bingo.

#336 by justanothersteve // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:08pm

With that final play, for sure

#324 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:52pm

This almost feels inevitable for the Saints here.

#325 by Anger...rising // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:53pm

Minnesota should be bringing huge pressure. If you're going to give up a score, make it happen quickly enough that you can answer.

#326 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:56pm

Tons of time to go for a TD here.

#327 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:57pm

With a third down stop here the Vikings could get the ball back with at least a bit of time, and some timeouts.

#328 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 7:58pm

Glad to see Saints don't just stop and try a long FG. So many coaches are too afraid of rare events like turnovers that they don't take the effort to dramatically increase FG %.

#330 by morganja // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:00pm

What a game! Vikings are a great team, but Brees is a Hall of Fame quarterback.

#332 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:04pm

Welp, one big pass play or two and Minnesota still has a shot. Or maybe just another chance for FG-related heartbreak.

#335 by Anger...rising // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:07pm

That's fucking miraculous

#345 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:13pm

The ghost of Brett Favre just possessed Case Keenum

Holy fuck balls.

#337 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:08pm

Marcus Williams, man. All he had to do was grab Diggs and tackle him. The game would have been over.

#353 by Aaron Brooks G… // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:18pm

Watch the replay. He was early. If he hit him, it was DPI, which I'm sure is what he was thinking.

In retrospect, yeah, he'd be better just decking him. But how heads-up was it of Diggs to see no one downfield and stay inbounds?

#387 by Hoodie_Sleeves // Jan 15, 2018 - 11:43am

The correct response to being early to a play in front of you is to slow down - not to dive past the guy into the only other defender in the area.

#358 by Mountain Time … // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:26pm

Remember, as of a few years ago, around 2/3 of NFL players are high on opiate pain pills every game. That's a double edged sword, it can help enhance performance, and it can take performance away.

Do I have any evidence to point to suggesting that's a factor? Not really, but any time I see a professional athlete whiff like that, I do wonder.

#338 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:08pm

What have I just seen. I honestly felt almost dramatic tension on that play just because the game seemed completely, utterly over. WTH. An all-time crazy finish.

#340 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:09pm

Foles
Keenum
Bortles
and Brady

So much for Ryan, Brees, and Roethlisberger!

#373 by amin purshottam // Jan 14, 2018 - 9:55pm

One of those 4 does not belong!

#341 by Anger...rising // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:09pm

Rahim Moore-level blunder. Hell, probably worse.

#342 by vrao81 // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:09pm

Holy hell what a finish!!?? Best playoff game wver??

#343 by RickD // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:12pm

I don't get the "we must kick the extra point!"
What if the teams just don't want to? Can the Saints filibuster this result??

#356 by Athelas // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:23pm

The line for this game was 5.5 so not kicking the PAT made it go from a Vikings win to a Saints win.

#357 by deus01 // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:23pm

I was kind of hoping the saints wouldn't come back on the field. Is there anything that says they need to field any players?

#344 by Mountain Time … // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:12pm

As sloppy as the NFL is about following rules, the "we have to kick to finalize the game" is so stupid

Still this was the best day of football in who knows how many years

#346 by morganja // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:13pm

What just happened?

#349 by Cythammer // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:16pm

That was a great game. It's just too bad that the moment that will be remembered is a negative one, in that it was far more about one person's terrible failure than anybody doing anything right.

#350 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:17pm

Wow, I have no words. For Vikings fans, Does this cancel out the 1972 Hail Mary by Staubach?

#388 by andrew // Jan 15, 2018 - 1:16pm

It was 1975. December.

Does it cancel? Ask me in a week or three. For the moment, though, yeah.

#351 by morganja // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:17pm

Give credit where credit is due. The Panthers made both of these teams great. They gave Ginn to the Saints and took Matt Kalil from the Vikings.

#355 by Anger...rising // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:22pm

Okay, so Williams clearly realized he was going to hit Diggs too early and ducked out of the way to avoid the spot foul and field goal try. Probably should've just blown him up and hoped for the Mike Pereira "interference isn't interference if you wait until the ball is almost to the receiver" interpretation from before the punt block.

#360 by JoeyHarringtonsPiano // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:36pm

I can't wait to hear Paul Allen's play by play call of this on KFAN. I bet it will be something like:

"HEEEEE'S LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!!!!!"

#361 by t.d. // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:40pm

Wow, congrats Vikings fans!

#362 by Cheesehead_Canuck // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:40pm

Just unbelievable. Sort of a Peyton Manning way to lose a playoff game, no? Poor Brees.

#364 by deus01 // Jan 14, 2018 - 8:50pm

Well now we know that Brees is just as bad at playing defense as Manning.

#365 by duh // Jan 14, 2018 - 9:00pm

I imagine that somewhere Will is deliriously happy

#369 by PatsFan // Jan 14, 2018 - 9:27pm

That was just insane. I realize Williams was (had to be) worried about DPI, but you just can't take yourself out of the play like that.

MIN has to be favored over whoever comes out of the AFC.

#370 by Hextall_27 // Jan 14, 2018 - 9:45pm

So they get a free win in Philly just like Atlanta did?

#374 by Cheesehead_Canuck // Jan 14, 2018 - 10:25pm

I don’t see any scenario where the books don’t favour the Patriots in their 8th SB in 17 seasons.

#381 by Cythammer // Jan 15, 2018 - 12:08am

The Vikings have been a better team all season, so I can't see why they wouldn't be favored (plus home field). The Eagles would be with Wentz, won't be without him.

#383 by RickD // Jan 15, 2018 - 12:29am

Pats are #1 in weighted DVOA. Have same record and better point differential than Vikings.

Not seeing the basis for "better team all season".

Pats are favored by 9 over Jax. If they make the Super Bowl they'll surely be favored by Vegas.

#377 by Hoodie_Sleeves // Jan 14, 2018 - 11:20pm

Not only did he take himself out of the play, he took out the only other defender who had any chance at it.

#384 by Will Allen // Jan 15, 2018 - 12:42am

Textbook example of one of the bad things that can happen if you try to play football while staring at the ground.

#372 by Noahrk // Jan 14, 2018 - 9:47pm

Speechless

#378 by Will Allen // Jan 14, 2018 - 11:49pm

Well, it was just a bit more than 42 years ago that I was about 100 yards away from Drew Pearson making a great hidden push off on Nate Wright, as Krause was just a split second late in giving help, after Vikings dt Doug Sutherland, executing a great bull rush, was flat out tackled by the Cowboys guard. I was a kid, and didn't anticipate all the brutal playoff losses to come, so I thought that as bad as it could be. HA!

Yeah, this one makes up for '75, especially since that one was a divisional game as well. Still have some miles to go, but that was fun to watch.

#379 by Steve B // Jan 14, 2018 - 11:51pm

Looking ahead -

AFCCG: zzzzzzz. I'll bet there's CBS execs on suicide watch right now. How many people outside of NE and N. Fla are going to watch this one? Anyway, NE cruises past Jax and their overrated defense to another SB.

NFCCG: Nick Foles vs. Case Keenum. Just like everyone predicted, right? Defense should be the bigger story. I'll say Minny by a FG.

#380 by Will Allen // Jan 14, 2018 - 11:57pm

Vikings will have a very hard time scoring on the road, against thst defense. I think HFA makes the difference. Eagles by fewer than 3, absent a heroic performance by the Vikings defense.

#386 by RobotBoy // Jan 15, 2018 - 1:45am

RobotBoy

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